Photo by PSD
We all learned them as children, but somewhere between childhood and the teen years we forgot our manners. Now as adults it is more important than ever that we revive these manners. Not only can a simple gesture like a thank you note make someone’s day, but it makes you stand out in that person’s mind as a kind and caring person.
Besides saying please and thank you, what can one do to become a more polite person?
♥ Send a Thank you card when you receive a gift. The card doesn’t have to say much, just one line will do. In that line it is nice to add how you used (or will use) the gift. For example: “Barbara, Thank you so much for the wonderful baking sheet, we made the most delicious Christmas cookies on it last night. Love, Cedar”.
♥ Always hold the door open for the person behind you. If there is an elderly, handicapped, or mom with children that you notice a bit further away from the door, take that extra five seconds to hold it open for them.
♥ Look people in the eye when you speak to them. Looking at other things or away from someone while talking to them sends the signal that you don’t care what they have to say.
♥ Learn to accept a compliment. There is nothing more annoying than when you tell someone they look nice and they deny it or tell you they look fat. A simple “thank you” is all that is necessary.
♥ When ordering food or coffee something decide what you want before you get in line, or at least before you get to the register. If you have questions that is different, but if you wait until you get to the register to even glance at the menu, you are slowing down the entire flow of the business, probably pissing off the employee, and definitely the people behind you in line.
♥ When meeting someone new let them know how nice it is to have met them, not only when you first do, but as you, or they are leaving.
♥ Don’t use your cell phone in line. As soon as I reach the checkout line in the grocery store I let whoever I am talking to know that I will call them back. If it can’t wait, don’t get in line yet.
♥ If you are out to dinner with a friend who insists on paying the bill, offer to pay the tip. Even if they refuse to let you, it is a nice gesture.
♥ This one seems obvious to me, but so many people do it. Please don’t burp in public. If it slips out, that is one thing, say excuse me and move on. Don’t let out one of those wall shaking belches just to be funny, or make some sort of statement.
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Mej says:
Hi! I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed the pictures from your How to Look Comfortable and Fashionable post. I love your fashion sense! I would never have thought I could pair these outfits until I saw your site. I hope you post more fashion ideas. Take care
February 13th, 2008 at 5:09 am